“The trouble with you is you don’t believe in happy endings.” – Steve Mason (Robert Mitchum)

If there’s one movie I get jazzed about seeing this time of year, it’s this one.

Released by RKO on December 24th, 1949, HOLIDAY AFFAIR explores a love triangle between Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey. When Mitchum’s store clerk rightfully suspects Leigh’s war widow of comparative shopping in his department store, he threatens to have her fired. Upon learning that she’s a son to support, he lets the matter go, a decision that costs him his job. Their relationship develops from there. Things get complicated when he meets her son Timmy and her boyfriend Carl, played by Wendell Corey.

HOLIDAY AFFAIR is a delightful – delightful! – romantic comedy that manages to please at least one set of eyes and ears year in and year out. It’s a charming look at life and love in the post-WWII era.

This year, treat yourself and check out this underrated gem.

HOLIDAY AFFAIR airs this Friday, December 24th, at 10:30am on Turner Classic Movies. It’s also available on DVD and through Netflix.